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'���,,,,,,,,,, STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> „sot.;ioti,, DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> `°? ° Sr9y_ LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> yj P.O.BOX 4368 <br /> 14. ,s4 .1*iBATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> °N.i.. r (225)219-5600 <br /> FAX (225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> April 24, 2017 <br /> Michael L. Wittier <br /> 6980 Tom Hebert Road <br /> Lake Charles, LA 70607 <br /> Re: Ethics Board Docket No. 2017-255 <br /> Dear Mr. Wittier: <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics, at its April 21, 2017 meeting, considered your request for an <br /> advisory opinion concerning a worker's compensation claim you wish to pursue for a work- <br /> related injury you suffered as an employee of Gravity Drainage District Number Four of <br /> Calcasieu Parish (District). You stated that you worked for the District from March 1986 until <br /> your retirement in July 2016, and that you are currently serving on the Board of Commissioners <br /> for the District. You also stated that while employed by the District you suffered work related <br /> hearing loss, and you are required to pursue your claim with the District's worker's <br /> compensation carrier, Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Company (Stonetrust). You provided <br /> information that you would file the worker's compensation claim with Stonetrust and the District <br /> will not be involved with any decisions regarding your claim. <br /> The Board concluded, and instructed me to inform you, that the Code of Governmental Ethics <br /> would not prohibit you from pursuing a worker's compensation claim through Stronetrust while <br /> you serve on the Board of Commissioners for the District. La. R.S. 42:1113B prohibits an <br /> appointed member of a board or commission from bidding on, entering into, or being in any way <br /> interested in a contract, subcontract or transaction under the supervision or jurisdiction of the <br /> public servant's agency. Because you will be filing your worker's compensation claim with <br /> Stonetrust and the District will not be involved with any decisions regarding your claim, you are <br /> not prohibited from pursuing a worker's compensation claim while you serve on the Board of <br /> Commissioners for the District. <br /> This advisory opinion is based solely on the facts as set forth herein. Changes to the facts as <br /> presented may result in a different application of the provisions of the Code of Ethics. The <br /> Board issues no opinion as to past conduct or as to laws other than the Code of Governmental <br /> Ethics. If you have any questions, please contact me at (800) 842-6630 or (225) 219-5600. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> Jennifer T. and <br /> For the Board <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />